Goodbye Radiance

On Sunday it was the very last day for radiance. I dug out these photos of the very first day of radiance, way back when we were in our original premises on the end of Market Street and I remembered how scared I was on that morning.

Would anyone come? Would anyone buy anything? Would my vision of a craft lighting shop hold up and support me and my kids? And how do you use a credit card machine? I'd never even worked in a shop before and suddenly I had one!

I didn't need to be scared. People came, people loved it and people bought stuff! We had such a lovely opening and afterwards I was buzzing. 

What had started as a sketch in my sketchbook had become a living, breathing reality and I loved it.

And it did hold up and it did support us for many years to come.

It's nice to look back on these photo's of old radiance. It seems like such a long time ago and I realise what a significant chunk of time has passed and how much has happened and how it has helped my work get out into the world.

So many friends have been made across my shop counter over the years.

Opportunities have blossomed and we have celebrated many things together.

We've had some hard times but still managed to keep the lights glowing thanks to this wonderful community.

When I first opened the shop in 2005, Euan was nine and Ffion eleven. Little did I know that Ffion would end up running the shop in years to come. She did such a brilliant job these last few years and it's been such a joy to watch her grow and become part of the community, just as I did. It's also been hard to see her struggle to keep things afloat in a changing climate. (If you didn't read her beautiful piece about our decision to close the shop you can read it here).

I know that so many people are sad that we have gone and it is the end of an era. We will miss being there but it is time for us to move on. A friend said that radiance wasn't only her favourite shop but it was her favourite place! What an accolade. I'm proud of what we achieved and I know it will be remembered fondly for a long time to come.

Thanks to everyone. x

p.s. It is just the shop premises that have closed. My studio is still very much in business and you can find all my lamps, wallpaper and fabrics on my website. It's possible to come and see things in my studio if you make an appointment first so we know to expect you. I will have a couple of open studios a year as well.